Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is a ten digit number granted by Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to any person/company for carrying out import/export.
Importers are not allowed to proceed without this code and exporters can’t take benefit of exports from DGFT, customs, Export Promotion Council, if they don’t have this code. One is not need to be a registered entity to apply for the same; you can apply even as an individual.